Wales Feed

Dizzy dolphins

2010-09-06T10:06:53+00:00

Cliff Benson from the Sea Trust has been in touch; concerned that more common dolphins are swimming into Fishguard Harbour and appearing disorientated.

This has happened twice in the last month and Cliff is beginning to wonder if it's being caused by recent naval activity in the area.

HMS Echo and HMS Quorn have both been on exercises in Cardigan Bay recently and a submarine was also spotted whilst the team were carrying out dolphin surveys aboard the Stena Europe ferry to Ireland.

Last time dolphins appeared in Fishguard Harbour - members of the Fishguard Ladies Rowing Team intervened and managed to corral the dolphins safely out of the harbour and back into deeper water.

The jury is still out on the effects of naval sonar activity on dolphin and whale behaviour but some experts believe that mass beachings and strandings are connected with naval activities.

So what do you think? Could naval and other sonar associated activities be responsible for disorientating dolphins off the Welsh coast?

The Registar - navy sonar dolphin massacre - the facts

BBC News - why do dolphins beach en masse?

The Independent - Dolphin charities blame Navy for Cornish beachings

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

New boating scheme to protect Cardigan bottlenoses

2010-08-10T09:33:18+00:00

As one of the very few UK locations with significant numbers of bottlenose dolphins, there's a new scheme coming for Cardigan Bay to ensure that healthy population continues.

A recreational boating plan is being investigated to ensure the marine mammals are not disturbed by fast-moving seacraft. With around 130 bottlenoses in the waters between Cardigan and the Dyfi Estuary, it is hoped that the code of conduct and new speed restrictions will maintain what is Europe's largest bottlenose populations.

Another element of the plan calls for kayakers and coasteerers to avoid sea caves during the seal pupping season.

Talking to the Western Mail, Ben Sampson of Ceredigion council's conservation team said, "Almost everyone I talk to at sea cares deeply about the marine environment and the wonderful wildlife we have in the seas. There is sometimes a lack of awareness of what to do when people encounter dolphins amd other wildlife at sea, but there is a strong desire to do the right thing.

"The code of conduct is all about providing that information, ensuring that generations to come can enjoy these spectacular animals."

Sampson talked about the public supposition that dolphins like boats. Faster boats make more noise, which they may find disturbing. "Dolphins may choose to approach a boat, but it must be their choice - never try to approach or follow a dolphin."

There is now an eight-knot speed zone from Cardigan Island to Cribach Bay and the existing speed zone has been extended from New Quay to Llangrannog. Also, sea caves are out of bounds from August to October.

New information panels are up at all launch sites in Ceredigion.

Whale and dolphin watching

2010-06-21T08:16:50+00:00

Cliff Benson from the Sea Trust has been in touch about a recent spate of whale and dolphin encounters off the Welsh coast:

"With two reports of minke whales seen in the Bristol Channel this month as well as hundreds of common dolphins off Pembrokeshire - it's safe to say, the whale & dolphin watching season is already off to a spectacular start".

"June seems to be a particularly good month for seeing minke whales in our waters".

"A recent survey by the Gower Marine Mammal Group just off the South Pembrokeshire Coast produced a feeding frenzy with at least two minke whales and one larger whale - probably a fin whale".

"Risso's dolphins as well as hundreds of common dolphins were also recorded. Another minke whale was seen yesterday by charter vessel 'Jessica Hettie', off Lundy Island".

A common dolphin off Ramsey Island taken by Richard Crossen on 6 June, 2010:

"People are often surprised to hear of whales in our waters but with this beautiful weather and calm seas - we're hoping for a bumper season of sightings".

"It seems that from our records, minke whales start arriving in our waters about now (June), following the mackerel shoals".

"They also seem to be breeding here as can be seen from Adrian Shepherds picture taken on one of our recent surveys":

"Last August we were surrounded by huge fin whales so you never really know what's going to be out there".

Find out more about whales and dolphin sightings off the Welsh coast by following the Whales in Wales blog.

We've had some lovely photos of dolphins submitted to our Flickr group so take a look if you have a spare minute.

As usual - you can submit pics to our Flickr group or e-mail them to us at wales.nature@bbc.co.uk.

Gull

Dolphin football

2009-10-16T08:56:03+00:00

If you haven't already seen it, take a look at the dolphin video on the BBC Wales nature portal currently.

It's an amazing clip showing bottle nose dolphins playing around with jellyfish, smashing them up into the air with their tails. It can't have been much fun for the jellyfish though!

The footage was filmed off Tremadaog Bay, North West Wales.

I had a text from family yesterday (15 October, 2009) staying at Whitesands beach down in Pembrokeshire saying they had just seen two porpoises, a seal pup and what they thought were killer whales (orcas) off the coast so I'd love to hear from you if you can verify this sighting!

We did have sightings of orcas back in June off Ramsey Island so anything is possible.

Gull

Killer whales on Wikipedia

Seawatch Foundation

Eye pod

2009-09-29T15:37:36+00:00

The BBC Wales Nature Flickr group are a very clever bunch of snappers...

Since we started the photo group back in 2007, we've had something in the region of 5,600+ images and the standard blows my socks off so regularly that I've actually taken to wearing sandles around the office! ;0

These photos of short beaked common dolphins have come in from a regular contributer to BBC Wales Nature called Ade:

See the full high resolution versions on Flickr

As Ade mentions - the pod which was out off Turbot Bank - a few miles offshore from Milford Haven, consisted of between 80-100 dolphins including mothers with their calves.

The water is so clear it makes me want to grab my snorkel and jump off a boat somewhere soon!

Gull

Dolphins on BBC Wales Nature